As the National Police Chiefs Council launches its mobile phone awareness campaign, it’s been revealed that more than 126 drivers were caught using their mobile phones in Bedfordshire last year.
Most of the offenders (85%) were men and over half were aged between 22 and 40-years-old.
Anyone found using their mobile phone while driving faces a minimum £200 fine and six points on their license and the new campaign will see officers targeting motorists who use handheld devices while driving.
People who have passed their driving test within the past two years and are caught using their phones will automatically be disqualified from driving and will need a re-test with the DVLA.
Chief Inspector Steve O’Keeffe, Head of Road Policing Unit (RPU) for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire said: “Using a mobile phone while driving means taking your eyes off the road. That is incredibly dangerous for you and those around you.
“To avoid being distracted we recommend turning off your phone or putting it on silent and storing it away in the glovebox until you reach your destination.”
